Photo: Peterborough Petes defenseman and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Dominik Masin, and Kingston Frontenacs forward and Florida Panthers prospect Juho Lammikko may one day be NHL divisional rivals, but they will go head-to-head in an interesting OHL clash this weekend (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images and Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

Auston Matthews is taking an unconventional path to the NHL, and has earned a few accolades already while playing in Switzerland. Two electric playmakers go head-to-head in a battle of assist machines in the QMJHL, and a pair of potential Canadian teammates will likely see a lot of each other in a weekend contest. The Tampa Bay Lightning’s newest signee lines up against a powerhouse forward in what could be a preview of what to expect in the future from both Floridian franchises. NCAA hockey is back, and two Top-20 teams are set to clash in a non-conference game to close out this week’s edition of Prospect Faceoff. Read more»

Leadership is often one of the first things teams discuss when evaluating prospects, and for Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters and Timo Meier of the Halifax Mooseheads, both players will adorn new letters this year. In the WHL, a surprising early cut from training camp faces off against a diminutive forward, and two draft-eligible players from the NAHL, as well as two Ottawa Senators prospects lead their teams into weekend action. Read more»

Photo: Sarnia Sting defenseman and 2016 prospect Jakob Chychrun is considered to be the top defensive prospect available for the 2016 NHL Draft (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

He missed being eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft by two days, but that may have been to Auston Matthews benefit as he enters the 2015-16 season as the top-ranked prospect for the 2016 NHL Draft according to ISS Hockey. Read more»

Photo: Seattle Thunderbirds forward and New York Rangers prospect Ryan Gropp (L) and Tri-City Americans defenseman and Boston Bruins prospect Brandon Carlo (L) will be two prominent players for their teams in 2015-16 in the WHL’s U.S. Division (courtesy of Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

The Kelowna Rockets and Portland Winterhawks have been the class of the Western Hockey League’s Western Conference for the past few seasons, but there is some strength building in the U.S. Division. The Everett Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds appear poised to challenge the Winterhawks and Rockets. Read more»